Explore the cultural heritage of Telemark

In Norway you will find many cultural experiences: New culture and ancient culture. Rural culture and urban culture. Cultural heritage and contemporary culture. A holiday in Telemark will really contribute to Norwegian cultural experiences. Check out art exhibitions, festivals, dining experiences, Munch hiking, concerts and much more.

Cultural activities along the coastline 

Edvard Munch is perhaps Norway's most famous painter. On selected dates during the summer you can join a walk "In Munch's footsteps" through the streets of Kragerø. The walks includes “Skrubben”, where Munch stood and painted the painting “The Sun”. The years Munch spent in Kragerø proved to be some of his most productive, because the environment and the light had a health impact on him.

The artist Theodor Severin Kittelsen is also known beyond Norway's borders and he grew up in Kragerø city center. His childhood home is today the museum called “Kittelsenhuset”. Here you will find works by Kittelsen and a guest exhibition every year. The Islands Jomfruland and Skåtøy are two islands outside Kragerø, which each year hosts exhibitions and concerts during the summer holiday. Skåtøy Café hosts a number of concerts during the summer. You will also find a beautiful art gallery in the café.

Get inspired by culture in Grenland

At Porsgrund Porcelain factory you find a interactive porcelain museum. Here tradition is combined with digital technology and dialogue. Porcelain production is still running and in the summer holidays you are invited into a world of crafts, history and decorations. Porsgrund Porcelain factory also has exhibitions and factory outlets.

In Skien lies Telemark Museum with Søndre Brekke Hovedgård, which is the starting point for Brekkeparken. A stroll in the beautiful park inspired by English landscape style, is a nice summer experience. A visit to the Henrik Ibsen Museum, is also something you will not want to miss. The museum is located on the farm where Henrik spent much of his childhood, a short distance from  the city center. The new attraction is the Peer Gynt Escape Room - which will provide a thrilling Escape Room experience!

In summer concerts at the outdoor scene Wrigtegaarden in Langesund is very popular. Famous international and domestic artists visit the scene every year. It is a permanent meeting place for both residents and visitors in the summer months. The concert program this summer promises you the "sound of summer".

Get inspired by culture in the northern parts of Telemark

Raulandsakademiet in Rauland presents the folk traditions and arranges courses and receives students throughout the year. Here you can learn the tradition of “lafting”, woodcarving, rose paint, embroidery og traditional costumes and much more. During summer holidays there is a buzzing activity here. Telemarkstunet next to the academy organizes a concert every weekend in July, and the stone bakery produces organic buns and bread every day. In The Loft you can buy high-quality handicraft products and in “Gardsjordstoga” there is a café from 1 July.

Get inspired by culture in mid-Telemark

The West Telemark bunad is one of the most beautiful ones in Telemark. We recommend visiting one of the country side museums during the summer vacation. They show great examples of handcraft and the county's long rose paintings traditions. At Heddal local museum there is a sample of old buildings with houses where both ceilings and walls are decorated with rose paint.

At West Telemark Museum in Eidsborg you will find exhibitions of local crafts, Eidsborg Stave church, some of the oldest houses in Norway and a miniature replica of the Telemark Canal which is 105 meters long. The museum has a gift shop and a café.

Also really worth a visit is the Fruit Farm in Gvarv and Sauherad. Here you can taste fruit and local wine and beer. In the same area there are numerous summer-open galleries and smaller concert scenes. At the Telemark Canal in Lunde there are several events in the amphitheater throughout the summer; both shows, classical music and rock.

Food festivals in Telemark

There are several food festivals in Telemark, during the summer and early autumn. Be sure to experience at least one of them! Mersmak in Skien will take place at the end of August and the Langesund Shanty festivalen in the beginning of June. The Norwegian Apple Festival in Gvarv as well as the popular Dyrsku'n with up to 90,000 visitors takes place in September.

The Industrial Heritage

We are proud to tell you that The Industrial Heritage at Rjukan and Notodden has gained a place on UNESCO's world heritage list. In the areas of Rjukan and Notodden there are two great museums Vemork and the World Heritage Center, where you can learn about the history. You learn about the founder Sam Eyde, the power plants, the industrial adventure and the impact it had on the rest of the world. At Vemork you can also learn about the heavy water sabotage. Our Industrial heritage has had big influences on the rest of the world´s food production!

Accommodation when your on a cultural round trip

See our offer on accommodation. If you travel with your family, with friends or on your own, you have a wide offer of different types of accommodation. Hotels, campsites, cabins or hostels. Thon Hotel Høyers in Skien is a venerable Hotel close to both the Telemark Canal and Brekkeparken. Stay at Hotel Vic in Porsgrunn and visit Porsgrunds Porcelein factory. The historical Dalen Hotel is worth a visit by itself. In the world heritage site Notodden-Rjukan we recommend a stay at Brattrein Hotell or Gaustablikk Mountain Resort.